Discoveries from Netherlands World Cinema

In Fear, documentary filmmaker Michiel van Erp creates a collage of inhabitants of the city of Amsterdam who struggle with various anxiety disorders. Today, more patients with anxiety disorders seek professional help than those who suffer from depression, making anxiety the number one mental illness in the Netherlands. This film will show how a small number of those patients attempt to overcome their fears, in order to get on with their lives in the crowded cosmopolitan city that Amsterdam is today.

The friendship between the impulsive and adventurous Pim and the more cautious Pom is put to the test when they are faced with trying to find their way home.

A documentary on Heinz Hermann Polzer, better known under his pseudonym Drs. P. Polzer was a Swiss singer-songwriter, poet, and prose writer in the Dutch language. His oeuvre consists mainly of macabre novelty songs, with dry humour, surprising twists and an exceptionally inventive and virtuoso use of the Dutch language. Polzer sang his lyrics with a distinctive shaky voice, while accompanying himself on the piano.

The Tersago family isn't your average family business: clowns by day, thieves by night. They get arrested following a robbery homicide in a villa in Brasschaat, but let off for lack of evidence, except for son Wesley. Wesley's sister Amber decides to finish Wesley's wacky reality movie herself. Father Ronny wants to get out of organized crime and launder the stolen money with the production of a musical. Ronny and his companion Lou get approached by two police inspectors entirely convinced of their involvement with the robbery homicide. The stolen money is rumored to belong to a powerful Russian drug lord. The Tersago's now realize their lives are in danger. An armed man slips into the theater during the premiere of the musical while son Wesley plans an escape from prison.

Registration of the seventh theatre program by the Dutch comedian Claudia de Breij.

A portrait of the belgian writer Herman Teirlinck by Henri Storck.

Stories of women on the other side of the world often seem a world away from our own lives or fail to really resonate with us. Yet, if her story becomes your story too, we all understand one another a little better.

Shot in Lebanon in 1975 just before the civil war. The director delivers a nuanced account of the complexities surrounding the Palestinian issue.

Psychological drama about a seemingly happy couple who model themselves on everything television and lifestyle magazines prescribe for them. They appear content with their lives, until the cosmetics they have used to coat their illusory existence begin to crack. And then everything that seems self-evident begins to shift.

Lieke and Millad are best friends. Milad land his family have been living in the Netherlands for years. Suddenly, Milad is told that he and his family have to leave, because they don't have a permit to stay. Lieke is upset. She wants to find a way to solve this problem. Together with Milad, she begins an exciting journey.

In Liesjes hok was leeg (Liesje's pen was empty), Wouter Waayer, now a convinced vegan and Extinction Rebellion activist, returns to the farm in Twente, where he receives another Liesje. We follow the bull calf from its arrival to its departure for the slaughterhouse, some five months later. A search for understanding unfolds between father Jan, the down-to-earth farmer who has devised a system to reduce emissions in barns, and Wouter, the idealist who would love to start a retirement home for cows. Between them: Liesje, a calf that slowly grows into a symbol for everything that conflicts between father and son, tradition and system change, love for animals, and farming.

In 2016 the largest and most modern prison in the Netherlands, Judicial Complex Zaanstad, opens its doors. New architecture and a new professional modus operandi enhance the efficiency of the complex and increase the responsibility for prisoners and guards. The demanding and versatile work of guards and prison officials gives us an insight into modern prison practices.

The documentary's legacy lies in its unapologetic fusion of agitprop and satire, a signature style of De Hert’s Fugitive Cinema collective. By juxtaposing Mandel’s economic theories with absurd military parades, the film exposes the contradictions of a society preparing for war while its social fabric decays. De Hert employs rapid montage, pop music, and street-level interviews to strip away the facade of state authority.Decades later, Le Filet Américain remains a vital historical document. It captures a specific era of Belgian polarization, marked by economic crises and the rise of the gendarmerie. The metaphor of the meat grinder endures as a powerful critique of how institutional systems compromise individual dignity for corporate profit.

Jay has spent fourteen years ignoring the thing that has been tearing up her marriage. Jay's husband cheated on her and had a daughter with someone else. And now, this girl, Stacey, is at their doorstep - wanting to get to know him.

A man wakes in a house where every room forces him closer to the end he has already lived.

Konraad, 83, has written a letter to his relatives saying he wants to die. Maria, Konraad's daughter and only child, refuses to discuss her fathers wish. Instead, she wants to move him to a flat for elderly people. Her two grown daughters Sabine and Eva have problems of their own. Sabine has a troubled marriage and her eldest daughter Haas is too wise for her age. Eva is in therapy, recovering from an abortion. Ernst, Marias husband, is the only one who takes an interest. He decides to help Konraad realize his last wish. In doing so, he crosses his wife and increases the already existing distance between them.

Live performance by Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins recorded at London's O2 Arena in March 2010. Jenkins performs a wide range of songs including 'Angel', 'Endless Love' and 'Bring Me to Life'.

Television recording of the Dutch musical by Annie M.G. Schmidt (lyrics) and Harry Bannink (music) from 1971. Two fairies guide the life of young Frans. The good fairy wishes him that he will become a decent man, with a good job and an exemplary family. The evil fairy wishes him bad luck. Her goal is to make the boy as unhappy as possible. Both bring twists and turns in the boy's life. They accompany his life in different guises, as a teacher, as a cashier, as a customer in a shop, as a psychiatrist, as aunts at a reception. Their fight continues until morals begin to scramble. Because what is actually still good and what is really bad?

Leon lives with his mother Ilona in an apartment tenement. Their life is simple, but they have each other. But as a neighbor transitions to something more, right under Leon’s nose, he feels the need to let his feelings known.

Han and his friends' party ends up in the newspaper in an unpleasant way. Hanna is furious-especially when his actions cause the deal with the Prince of Macau to fall through. But how did this prince even get to see the newspaper? In the middle of the night, the friends make a shocking discovery on Irado's premises. Han and Ophelia grow closer. When Hanna suspends Gert from the company and Claudia shares information with her about the family history, the turmoil within the family only grows.

Documentary about sexual violence and forced marriage, focusing on women who were coerced, abducted or imprisoned by their own families. Central figure is Dutch-Pakistani human rights activist Shirin Musa (Femmes for Freedom), tirelessly fighting for their rights.

Dutch tv registration of Luigi Pirandello's classic play Enrico IV, or Hendrik IV.

When Sarah looks out of her window she sees several situations between couples take place. It is like she is watching her own life and all the choices that could change it. In the end she can take a decision about her own life by looking at others. The couples tell a story about a world in which you can loose the direction of your life just like that. And find it again.

Twelve-year-old Luuk Bos has always believed that his father is the Strongest Man in the World. His mother Dorien, who raised him on her own, used to tell him the most wonderful stories about it. During a visit to a local Strongest Man competition, he meets a participant, René Doornbos, who, like him, has red hair. Luuk thinks he has found his father.

One in ten people hear voices. In this film, we meet five people living with this phenomenon. One person hears a single voice, another hears 19. One voice wants to protect, another wants to kill.

Sign and See the World sheds light on the journey of three young Surinamese men who, far from home, travel from Suriname via Canada to Europe during World War II to join the Princess Irene Brigade. Driven by a determination to help liberate the Netherlands, the film reveals the challenges and hardships of their journey, as well as the personal motivations, courage, and sacrifice that drove them to play a crucial role in the liberation of the Netherlands and Europe - one that never made it to the history books.

A radio-reporter watches a window-washer and they become lovers. Their relationship starts fine but after a while it turns into a power struggle between the two guys of very different background and interests.

Vince bets his college roommate he can prove God exists, but he has no idea how. He takes him camping in the spectacular Yosemite National Park. Amidst the hiking, campfires, and storytelling, the laughter, sorrow, and plenty of action will definitely keep you "On the Edge" of your seat.

Joachim West is so unsuccessful as a writer that in order to escape his financial trouble, he stages his own disappearance. But only after sending his magnum opus--on which he had worked for the past 10 years--to his publisher. Assuming him dead, she sees the masterpiece as the perfect answer to a predicament: her star author, Fabian Remarque, is struck by writer's block. So she decides to publish Joachim's manuscript under Fabian's name.

It tells the unknown story of the Amsterdam city tram that collaborated with the Nazis and deported tens of thousands of Jews to the train stations on their way to the death camps. We experience their last tram ride.

Exerting strength at the right moment and releasing tension again at the right moment; that is what rowing is all about. As soon as someone does not slacken, the boat starts to rock. Especially with the eight, timing is of the utmost importance. With Laurens ter Keurst, 86 years old and the oldest competitive rower in the Netherlands, as its central figure, this film makes the magic of rowing tangible by means of rhythmic shots of eight elderly rowers.

Jessica Villerius follows Memphis closely from his rehabilitation period to his first Champions League match.

Two individuals. Two men. One location. One secret love. This short film tells the story of a secret love that takes place in an art school. A love between two individuals, both lost in their secret lives.

In an early September morning in Maastricht, the Netherlands, one of the neurologists entered the emergency room to report that Lucía had suffered several strokes. For fifteen days of excruciating headaches and vomiting, she was neglected by a deficient healthcare system that kept sending her home with doses of acetaminophen, until one morning Lucía stopped recognizing her surroundings. The left side of her body, as well as her vision, stopped functioning. Miraculously, she managed to survive. After several back-and-forth visits, she received a one-in-a-million diagnosis: Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome.

The year is 1946. Under the strict orders of their father, Adam drags his younger brother Ali to witness their grandfather's corpse get washed before burial. Their cousin Iman, their constant playmate, is excluded from the ritual because she is a girl. The sight of the corpse has a profound effect on Adam; he announces that he doesn’t want to grow up and, from that moment on, he stops aging. As the years pass, the villagers come to believe Adam is cursed, while his brother, grappling with his own aging, feels Adam should be institutionalized. Only Iman and Anki, a shepherd and Adam’s lifelong best friend, see his condition as a blessing, preserving in him the pure, innocent goodness of a child. A haunting and beautiful story set against the oases and dust storms of Iraq.

What do you want to be when you grow up? An innocent question that seems to have so many wrong answers. Especially in the Chen family, according to the twenty-year-old Suyin. Trying to prove her worth, she starts many impressive studies and quits them just as quickly after realizing she has no passion for them. Like any young adult, she tries to find her place in this world and in her chaotic family while stumbling through life. When Suyin spends her Christmas Eve dreaming away instead of helping the nearly bankrupt family restaurant, Mrs. Chen has had enough. She gives her daughter an ultimatum: choose a study before Chinese New Year and create a promising future for yourself, or give up your freedom and work for your parents.

Four months after his father's death, Tibeau tries to pick up where he left off. He mainly wants to move on. When he meets Ella, he realizes that with her, he can choose who he wants to be.

A young boy plays soccer in a misty field when he suddenly is challenged by an UFO! This short film was part of 'Short Plays', an anthology consisting of 31 short films about the World Championship 2014.

After being imprisoned for several years Marcus is determined to settle a score with his brother Simon. Wolf's Milk is a story about brotherly love, and a family struggling with disintegration after a white lie turns sour.

When Meili tries to sell an old suitcase online, she lets a stranger into her home and finds herself trapped in a deal she can’t close.

Menna is found on the street with soaked clothes and no memory of what happened. Only vague images of a bridge and Lia. What's real and what's not? And why do I hear running water?

When puberty hits the 14-year-old Sonny Kruger, he starts looking at his attractive classmate Coco in a different way. Too shy to ever stand a chance with her, he starts doubting his own masculinity. Sonny’s macho father Bero, his attractive sister Kimberly and bullying classmate Nigel, all contribute to his confusion and frustration. With the help of his best friend Ferdi and the things he sees in nature that inspire him, he eventually does have the courage to approach Coco.

After the death of their father, a travelling showman, Iris Belmore and her little brother Billy are engaged to play in a circus owned by George Munro. Jim, a young man their father had adopted, comes home after he has been at the sea, where he has saved the lives of Lady Rosemount and her son during a shipwreck. Jim, a sharpshooter, also joins Munro’s circus and shows Iris and Billy much kindness. Iris and Jim do a sharpshooting act together. Munro’s jealousy is aroused when he sees that their friendship is growing into love. In revenge he tampers with Jim’s revolver, with the result that an accident happens in the ring and Iris is slightly wounded. Jim gives Munro a severe thrashing and leaves the circus, taking Iris and Billy with him, in search of other employment. While tramping the country, they meet Lady Rosemount and her husband. Sir Henry, hearing their story and wishing to show his gratitude, buys Munro’s circus and makes Jim the manager, on condition that he marries Iris. ×

The second solo program by the Dutch cabaret artist Harrie Jekkers. Jekkers tells and sings about growing up and about his uncle Jan.

In September 2013, it was exactly 12½ years ago that Bas Hoeflaak and Peter van de Witte launched their first full-length theater show 'Teer' under the name Droog Brood. The very best from six theater programs will be collected and forged into a magnificent and classic theater evening. Includes intermission and show trap. It will be fun. For the gentlemen of Droog Brood – who have finally found a reason to perform precious scenes one more time (there is talk of itchy fingers) – but of course also for the audience, who will be presented with an evening of hilarious highlights and will be able to enjoy themselves immerse yourself in a warm atmosphere of sweet melancholy. In short: the ladyfingers have been bought, the Smurfs have been called and Soekeloekie has pulled his proverbial nose out of the grease to frequently put it around the corner.

Documentary celebrating the 10th anniversary of the General Dutch Construction Workers Union, providing a multifaceted view of the union and depicting the many construction activities of its members. Some parts were also shown separately.

Lotte (18) and Roos (16) are sisters and both have Usher syndrome. That means they will soon become deaf and blind. It is not known how fast that will go, but they already see and hear a lot worse than their peers. How do these two high-spirited girls deal with their development into adulthood, while the time bomb of deafness and blindness ticks inexorably? They are not deterred from getting the most out of life: Lotte is studying to become a photographer and Roos is passing her final exams. At the same time, they also want to do a few things before it is too late, such as seeing the Northern Lights with their own eyes. Director Kim Smeekes followed Lotte and Roos for the film for two years.

A radical 'found-footage' remake of Diabolique (1996), a remake of the French suspense thriller Les diaboliques (1955). He puts the spotlight back on Sharon Stone, a forgotten film goddess, and perhaps the last real film diva?

Elvy is making every effort to win the Future Fashion Award in Ibiza. She meets a lot of special people, from world-famous DJs and stressed-out Beach Club owners, to fashion influencers and the daughter of a famous fashion icon. It will be the adventure of her life, but in the end it’s very different from what she had imagined...

Joey (13) returns home to live with his mother Daphne after she has regained custody over him and his brother Ricardo (8). While celebrating their reunification, their resolve to restore the balance of their relationship is tested.